Katsina State Governor Dikko Umaru Radda is under fire following the federal government’s cancellation of the N147.6 billion contract for the comprehensive rehabilitation of the Katsina-Kankara-Dutsinma-Maraba Kankara road. Awarded to the local company Vipan Global Resources Limited in April 2024, the contract was set for completion within 24 months.
Despite mobilizing to the site and initiating work on a 10-kilometer stretch without receiving any advance payments, the contract was abruptly terminated on July 16. This left residents and commuters questioning the rationale behind the sudden halt.
Ibrahim Masari, the Special Assistant to President Tinubu on political matters, suggested during a public event that Governor Radda played a pivotal role in the contract’s cancellation. He claimed that Radda had facilitated the contract for the Zaria-Hunkuyi-Dabai-Gozaki-Kafur road, benefiting areas in both Kaduna and Katsina states.
In response, the Arewa Forum for Growth, a non-governmental organization, denounced the cancellation. They asserted that Radda’s actions reveal a lack of concern for the welfare of Katsina’s residents. The group disputed Masari’s assertion regarding Radda’s influence over the Zaria-Hunkuyi-Dabai-Gozaki-Kafur road project, emphasizing that it was awarded prior to President Tinubu’s administration.
“The claim that Radda sought the cancellation due to the contract being awarded to an allegedly inappropriate candidate, presumably linked to the opposition PDP, is unfounded,” the group stated. They expressed their discontent, accusing Radda of prioritizing personal interests over the needs of the people who rely on the road daily.
Bello Bishir, the group’s secretary, criticized the president for yielding to Radda’s influence, questioning, “Should a firm associated with an opposition party be denied a contract that would benefit countless road users?” He further suggested that President Tinubu is being swayed by individuals with ulterior motives.
The organization urged the president to scrutinize his relationship with Radda, highlighting allegations that the governor has collaborated with opposition figures to undermine the president’s initiatives. They noted, “This is a governor who has been accused of leveraging connections with a former governor to sabotage the president’s interests.”
The group pointed out Radda’s lack of significant achievements, stating, “While his peers are engaged in meaningful projects, Governor Radda has not delivered a single legacy project.” They argued that the cancellation of the road project represents a serious disservice to the people of Katsina.
Additionally, the group claimed to have uncovered delays caused by Radda in the construction of navigational equipment at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua International Airport in Katsina. Documents revealed that the road project, under Contract Number 8489, was officially awarded to Vipan Global Resources Limited on April 5, 2024, after receiving the necessary approvals from the Bureau of Public Procurement and the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
The ongoing controversy raises questions about leadership priorities and the impact of political affiliations on essential infrastructure projects in Katsina State.
